Container



y 1956 P. CHALFIN ET AL CONTAINER Filed July 2, 1953 INVENTORS PHILIPCHALFIN BENJAMIN CHALFIN, DECEASED BY ROSE CHALFIN,

ms ADMINISTRATRIX 71 771% 70 NEY CONTAINER Philip Chalfin, Eatontown, N.J., and

deceased, late of Philadelphia, Pa., administratrix, Philadelphia, Pa.

Benjamin Chalfin, by Rose Chalfin,

The present invention relates to a container. More particularly theinvention relates to a container wherein it is desired to keep andmaintain individual liquids separated and in separate compartments ofsaid container under diiferent determinate pressures, and thereafteractively mix and unite said liquids immediately prior to their use byreleasing the pressure in one of the compartments to allow the flow ofliquid into said compartment from the other compartment.

In many instances, particularly in the chemical fields, it is necessarythat two separate liquids be united to form a desired mixture.Heretofore separate containers were required wherein each of saidliquids was separately stored and the liquid from one container would bepoured into another container for mixing the separate ingredients. It isobvious that such method of forming desired mixtures is inconvenient. Tothis end it is an object of the present invention to provide a singlecontainer having two or more compartments and means between saidcompartments to permit the flow of one liquid into the other of saidcompartments whereby intimate mixing of the liquids can be accomplished.Where attempts have been made to mix or compound two liquids for use atsome future time, it has been found that under storage conditionsadverse etfects may take place after undue periods of storage timethereby decreasing the eifectiveness of the mixed liquid for its desireduse. It has been found that certain ingredients can be maintainedseparately under storage for considerable periods of time but in casesof certain chemicals must be mixed together immediately prior to theiruse.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acontainer whereby the separate liquids can be kept in separatecompartments and the mixing of the two liquids can be accomplishedimmediately prior to use. It has been found that in some instances themixing of two liquids is accomplished by merely pouring the liquid fromone container into the liquid of another container and manually shakingthe liquids together does not thoroughly and completely effect anintimate mixmre of the products. It is, therefore, another object of theinvention to provide a container wherein the separate liquids are storedunder pressure within the separate compartments so that when the liquidsare combined the mixing will be accomplished under a condition wherethorough and complete mixing of the two liquids is accomplished.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description to be read in View of the accompanying drawing inwhich:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, partly in elevation, showing the separate liquids withintheir compartments during time of storage;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the liquids immediately afterthey have been mixed together prior to use;

Figure 3 is a view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the valve means; and

" nited States Patent Figure 5 is another modification of the inventionin cross-section, and partly in elevation.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a container 11 having twoseparate compartments 13, 15, said compartments being formed by a commonwall 17 extending longitudinally throughout the length of the container.

Said compartments 13, 15 terminate, respectively, in neck portions 19and 21, on which can be applied caps 23 and 25 respectively.

Located adjacent to the bottom of the container and extending throughthe common wall 17 is a one-way valve means 27 which, when in closedposition, covers an opening 29 in the wall 17. The valve is so designedand positioned that it is normally held closed by the pressure of theliquid in compartment 13. The valve 27, as particularly shown in Figure4, comprises an elongated body portion 28 and is made of a flexiblematerial. The body portion 28 of the valve should be of sutficient sizeto cover the opening 29 when the valve is urged flush against the wall17 as shown in Figure 1. The body portion 28 of the valve has a mediallydisposed transverse groove 32 on one surface thereof, whereby the bodyportion of the valve can be readily flexed as shown in Figure 2 and morefully explained hereinafter. Extending perpendicularly from the oppositesurface of the body portion of the valve is a relatively short stem 33terminating in a disc 34. The length of the stem portion issubstantially the same as the thickness of the common wall 17. As shownin Figure 1 the valve 27 is held in position by the snug fit effected bythe stem 33 through the opening 30. In all cases it is desirable thatthe valve 27 be composed of a material that will not be adverselyaffected by the liquids contained within the compartments; the materialfrom which such valve is made will accordingly be dependent upon thecomposition of the liquids. I

In the utilization of the container, the following technique ispracticed. With the valve 27 in closed position, which position it willassume due to its own weight and the spring-like quality of the materialfrom which the valve is made, liquid A is introduced into thecompartment 13 until the container is partially filled. With the valve27 in closed position there is no possibility of seepage of the liquid Ainto compartment 15. The liquid is then subjected to a pressure ofapproximately 25 pounds and the compartment is then capped with the cap23. Liquid B is then introduced into compartment 15 and subjected to apressure of about 20 pounds. The compartment 15 is then capped with thecap 25. With the pressure maintained in compartment 13 being greaterthan that in compartment 15, the body portion 28 of the valve will beurged against the wall 17 thereby eifectively preventing the flow ofliquid from one compartment to the other. Under such conditions thecontainer can be stored indefinitely until ready for use.

When it is desired to mix the two liquids A and B, the cap is removedfrom compartment 13 thereby allowing the pressure to become normaltherein. Since now the pressure in compartment 15 will be greater thanthat in compartment 13, there will be a surge of liquid through theopening 29 forcing the lower half of the body portion 28 of the valveaway from the opening 29 as shown in Figure 2. Such sudden surge andviolent agitation will cause a thorough intermingling of the two liquidswithin the compartment 13, and the resultant mixture is then ready foruse.

In order to avoid any accidental opening of compartment 15 by removingthe cap therefrom, it is suggested that the cap on compartment 15 beappropriately labeled, or with appropriate instructions set forth on thecontainer proper. Another suggested method is to have the cap 25 of theirremovable type so that it cannot be taken oif when once placed inposition.

In the modification shown in Figure the same basic principle is employedas set forth above in the construction of a bottle having threecompartments wherein it is desired to bring together three separateliquids. In the device of Figure 5, the container '11 comprises threeseparatesections 31, 36 and 35, wherein 35 will be the mixing chambermaintained at a pressure greater than that of the other two chambers 31and 36 respectively. Liquid can be poured into the compartment 35through the neck portionofthe container as was accomplished above.Liquid can be poured into separate compartments 31 and 36 and maintainedunder a pressure smaller than that of compartment 35, through the entryports 37 which can then be sealed by any appropriate means such asstoppers 39. The method of mixing the liquids is the same as wasaccomplished in the two-compartment container. By removing the cap fromthe bottle of the device shown in Figure 5 .the pressure is immediatelyreduced to normal and the resultantlgreater pressure within the separatecompartments 31 and 36 will force the valves to open, permitting theflow of liquid from said compartments into the main mixing compartment35 whereby the desired mixing is accomplished.

While there have been herein described what are to be considered thepreferred embodiments of the invention, itzis obvious modifications maybe made to the containers described without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Accordingly, while not shown, it is withinthe scope of the invention to provide a bottle or container having butone neck, such as the bottle of Figure 5, and having 'an inner walldividing the bottle into two compartments. The lower portion of the wallis provided on one surface thereof with a one-way valve, such as thevalve 27 supra, and a similar valve close to the top of the wall on theopposite surface of the wall. In such arrangement similar or differentliquids can be introduced into the separate compartments and maintainedunder the same pressure. When the cap is removed the pressure in onecompartment will decrease and the greater pressure inth'e secondcompartmentwill'force the liquid from said second compartment into thefirst compartment where thorough commixing will be eifected.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A liquid package comprising a container having first and secondcompartments with a'common vertical Wall therebetween, a communicatingpassage in said wall adjacent the bottom of said container, a one-waypressure valve in said passage controlling the flow of liquid from saidfirst compartment to said second compartment, liquids only partiallyfilling each of said compartments above the level of said passage undergaseous pressure, the pressure in said second compartment being greaterthan the pressure in said first compartment and both pressures beinggreater than atmospheric pressure, and means for venting said secondcompartment, whereby when the latter is vented the pressure in saidfirst compartment will force the liquid therein into said secondcompartment.

2. A package .of the kind set forth in claim 1 wherein said one-waypressure valve comprises a flap in said second compartment which abutsagainst said passage and prevents the flow of liquid from the firstcompartment into the second compartment when the gaseous pressure in thesecond compartment is greater than the pressure in the firstcompartment.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED :STATES PATENTS611,520 *Smith Sept. 27, 1898 1,700,623 -Bleecker Jan. 29, 19292,096;088 Copeman Oct. 19, 1937 2,512,694 Stout et al. June 27, 1950 IFOREIGN PATENTS 286,780 Germany Aug. 30, 1915

